Degrees & Majors
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The information shared here is intended to provide an overview of Georgia State's offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more please refer to the university catalogs.
Search results are alphabetized
Neuroscience, B.S.
Neuroscience
Neuroscience is a dynamic and fast-growing field in science and medicine, exploring how the nervous system produces perceptions, thoughts, emotions and behavior. Neuroscientists address fundamental questions of nervous system function as well as health-related questions that affect society and every aspect of our lives. To answer these questions, neuroscience bridges many disciplines for a full understanding of how the nervous system works.
Our students learn about nervous system function from genes and molecules to behavior and cognition. Our program provides breadth in the fundamentals of nervous system function, along with flexibility to explore individual interests.
Our students engage in original research inside the classroom, and many of our students gain significant research experience outside of the classroom in the Neuroscience Institute or associate faculty labs. Our program emphasizes professional development instruction and practice to ensure our students are ready for neuroscience-related careers, graduate school or medical school.
The B.S. Program in Neuroscience is housed in the Neuroscience Institute, a rare example of an entire academic department devoted to neuroscience education and research.
As part of Georgia State’s racially, ethnically and socioeconomically diverse community, we work to create a welcoming and equitable environment where diverse voices are heard and recognized. We are proud to be a part of the journey of students from underrepresented communities in neuroscience. A diverse science community brings diverse questions and answers to science.
Philosophy, B.A.
Philosophy teaches a person how to think critically and creatively, how to write clearly and persuasively, and other skills valuable to a wide range of careers, including law, business, the sciences and education.
The Department of Philosophy has three areas of strength:
- Social, Legal, and Political Philosophy
- Philosophy of Mind, Cognitive Science, and Neurophilosophy
- The History of Philosophy
The department also offers a series of courses in applied ethics, which provides students useful skills for their careers and their lives. Courses in this area include Introduction to Ethics, Sex and Love, Race and Racism, Biomedical Ethics, Philosophy of Law, Business Ethics, and our signature experience course in which students prepare to compete in the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl.
Philosophy, B.A., Pre-Law Concentration
The study of philosophy is excellent preparation for law school and a career in law. The critical thinking skills, clarity in writing and argumentative rigor required in philosophy provide students with the tools they need to be successful in law school and as lawyers. Philosophy majors have among the highest average scores on the LSAT and the highest admission rates to law school of any major.
The Department of Philosophy at Georgia State includes seven nationally recognized scholars in legal and political philosophy.
Students in the philosophy/pre-law track can also learn about pre-law opportunities at the university by joining the Pre-Law Society and other student groups on campus. Students can also join the pre-law GroupMe for the Center for the Advancement of Students and Alumni, which provides access to the university's centralized pre-law advising program.
Philosophy, Politics and Economics, B.I.S.
Philosophy
Georgia State's Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) Bachelors of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.s.) helps students become familiar with and capable of contributing to ongoing debates about the nature of good political and economic institutions, as well as the policies and practices that are best suited for creating and sustaining them. Students will develop the intellectual skills of the social scientist, who seeks to understand how the social world operates, and the moral philosopher, who seeks to critically evaluate the social world in relation to how it ought to be.
This interdisciplinary program makes use of the analytically rigorous tools of its three disciplines to promote serious thought about practical issues, allowing students to delve deep into moral, social, political and economic issues. This program is great for pre-law students preparing for law school and a career in law.
PPE graduates contribute intelligently to public dialogue, many in positions of power in government and corporate life. The PPE program supports the Civil Discourse Forum, a student group that encourages discussion of controversial issues and is often led by PPE students.
To learn more about our program's faculty, events and related resources, go to the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics homepage.
Physics, B.S.
Physics is the cornerstone of understanding of how things work at the most fundamental level. In the Bachelor of Science physics program at Georgia State University, students delve into the building blocks and mechanics of our reality, from the smallest particles to the vastness of space. Physics majors learn how to apply these fundamental principles to a wide array of phenomena and processes.
Enrolling in our physics program means not just learning about the universe but also developing crucial skills such as critical and analytical thinking, advanced problem-solving and proficiency in mathematical and computational tools. These skills are indispensable in both scientific research and real-world applications.
The Department of Physics & Astronomy offers a variety of concentrations within the B.S. in physics degree program, allowing students to tailor their education to their interests and career goals:
- Applied Physics
- Astronomy
- Pre-Medicine
- Biophysics
- Geology
- Computer Science
- Education
The standard program with no concentration is recommended for students aiming to pursue graduate studies in physics.
Psychology, B.A. or B.S.
Psychology
Georgia State’s psychology degree introduces you to the study of the mind and behavior. Our classes will have you applying the concepts you’re studying to clinical, industrial, community and other social contexts, while increasing your understanding of behavior and the formation of relationships.
The program offers students the option of a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree. Both options will have you studying the theories and basic research methods in the industry and will make you a better communicator and listener. The B.S. option requires more STEM-related coursework in science and math and graduates tend to focus on the clinical applications of the degree in their jobs or graduate school attendance. The B.A. option allows you to dive into social sciences such as economics, political science or gerontology, among other topics.
Many students find that a bachelor’s degree in psychology is a good foundation for moving into graduate work in a number of fields.
Students have the following curriculum options depending on their degree choices:
- General Program in Psychology (B.A., B.S.)
- Concentration in Community Psychology (B.A., B.S.)
- Concentration in Pre-Medicine (B.S. Only)
The psychology undergraduate program has an active Honors Program and Presidential Assistants Program for exceptional students interested in advanced training in behavioral and psychological research, along with a large Psi Chi club for majors and minors. Applied and research practica are available in a variety of areas for advanced students taking in-person classes at the Atlanta Campus.
Religious Studies, B.A.
Religious Studies is an interdisciplinary area of study that prepares students to navigate multicultural environments successfully, to lead teams effectively in collaborative settings and to interpret and marshal various types of information and data while advancing a large project.
Graduates with religious studies degrees advance in a wide range of careers and hold positions at nonprofit, in healthcare, academia and other public and private settings. Studying religion puts you on the cutting edge of global politics, business, health care, education and the media.
Course offerings in religious studies, all of which are taught from a non-sectarian perspective, include comparative courses on such topics as world religions, religious thought, religious ethics, mysticism, and women and religion, as well as a host of courses on specific religious traditions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Shinto and Taoism.
Sociology, B.A.
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society, including identities, cultures, and institutions, and particularly the power dynamics that animate societal structures and social interactions.
Sociology uses data and theory to analyze the causes, processes, and consequences of social ideologies, social behaviors, institutional discourses, and institutional practices. Undergraduate students in our courses critically explore topics like race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, urbanization, health, illness, wealth, deviance, social problems, inequality and activism.
Specialty Areas:
- Health & Life Course
- Gerontology
- Gender & Sexuality
- Race & Urban
Are you returning to school, transferring or transitioning from Perimeter College? You may be eligible for our Online Degree Name Degree Completion Program.
Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies, B.A.
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) is an interdisciplinary field of study focusing on gender, sex, sexuality, feminism and womanism. WGSS offers a cutting-edge academic program focusing on three areas:
• Globalization
• Sexuality Studies
• Social Change
The Institute is a collective of core and affiliate faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, staff, alumni and community partners that collaborate to create meaningful research and practice. Through our multifaceted work, we examine social constructions and intersections of race, class and gender. We evaluate political and social equality, posit the creative power of art and artists, and reinforce commitment to advance human rights.
World Languages and Cultures, B.A.
The B.A. in World Languages and Cultures offers students a program of study that focuses on career readiness through an innovative curriculum and experiential learning opportunities. Our curriculum emphasizes intercultural competency that is required across all professions in the 21st century.
With courses for developing world language proficiency, multicultural literacies, and college to career connection, the goal of the program is to cultivate the next generation of a workforce that can compete globally. Graduates will be able to pursue varied career pathways in business, government, non-profit organizations, and other enterprises with an international scope.
The program offers concentrations in:
- Chinese Language & Society
- French and Francophone Studies
- Japanese Language & Society
- Korean Language & Society
- Spanish Language and Cultures
- Two Languages (includes German and Arabic)